The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball have officially cemented their place in history, finishing the season as the No. 1 team in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll following a dominant run to their first NCAA championship.
After a commanding victory over South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball in the title game, UCLA earned all 31 first-place votes from the national media panel—marking the first time the program has ended a season atop the rankings. It’s a milestone moment for the Bruins, who only recently claimed their first-ever No. 1 ranking during the 2024 season.
South Carolina, despite falling short in the championship game, secured the No. 2 spot, followed by fellow Final Four contenders UConn Huskies women’s basketball and Texas Longhorns women’s basketball at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. UConn’s season was particularly notable, as the Huskies held the top ranking for much of the year before suffering a late loss that reshaped the final standings.
Beyond the top four, several teams made strong impressions. Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball, TCU Horned Frogs women’s basketball, and Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball rounded out the top seven after Elite Eight appearances. Meanwhile, Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball made one of the biggest jumps in the rankings, climbing 13 spots after an impressive postseason run that included a key upset.
UCLA’s achievement also carries historical weight. The Bruins are now one of only three programs—alongside Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball and Baylor Bears women’s basketball—to appear in both the first-ever women’s AP poll 50 years ago and the final poll this season. This milestone highlights the program’s long-standing presence in the sport and its evolution into a championship powerhouse.
Elsewhere, Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball celebrated a breakthrough season, earning their first Top 25 ranking since 2011 after reaching the Sweet 16. Their journey from the First Four to the regional semifinals marked one of the tournament’s most inspiring storylines.
Conference-wise, the season showcased strong depth across the board. Both the SEC and Big Ten led the way with eight teams each in the final rankings, while the ACC, Big 12, and Big East also had multiple programs represented.
In the end, however, the spotlight belongs to UCLA. With a near-perfect record and a dominant championship performance, the Bruins didn’t just win a title—they redefined their program’s legacy and set a new standard for excellence in women’s college basketball.
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